Community Paramedic

Gaston County Emergency Medical Services

Joining the team at Gaston County Government means being part of a community that is dedicated to improving the lives of its citizens. We are a dynamic organization that values innovation, collaboration, and commitment to service.

As an employee of Gaston County, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in your community every day. Whether you are working in public safety, social services, or administration, your contributions will help improve the lives of our residents and build a better future for our county.

Description

The mission of Gaston County Emergency Medical Services (GEMS) is to preserve and enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of Gaston County by providing superior quality Emergency Medical Services.

Examples Of Duties

The starting hourly rate for this position will be $30.43. The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

• Provides assessment, treatment, and ongoing care to individuals with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) by conducting patient assessments, initiating and continuing Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in accordance with approved protocols and medical direction, monitoring treatment response, providing follow up care, and connecting individuals with ongoing treatment and recovery services. Provides care in homes and community settings to reduce barriers to treatment and meet patients where they are physically, mentally, and emotionally.
• Provides Medication Assisted Treatment within the Gaston County Jail by assessing individuals with OUD, administering and monitoring medications, providing patient education, maintaining required clinical and medication documentation, and coordinating continuity of treatment. Works closely with jail medical staff, detention personnel, peer support specialists, treatment providers, and community partners to support treatment during incarceration and continued care following release.
• Provides harm reduction, overdose prevention, and recovery support services by distributing naloxone and other harm reduction materials, educating individuals, families, and community members on overdose recognition and response, providing education regarding OUD and available treatment options, and connecting individuals with treatment, peer support, recovery services, and other appropriate resources.
• Engages and follows individuals throughout OUD treatment and recovery by providing proactive follow up, serving as a patient advocate, identifying and addressing barriers to continued treatment, coordinating referrals, and working closely with peer support specialists and treatment providers to improve engagement and continuity of care. Meets individuals in homes, community settings, detention settings, and other locations to bring services directly to the patient and reduce barriers associated with traditional healthcare delivery.
• Responds to and provides follow up care for individuals experiencing mental health, behavioral health, or domestic violence related needs by assessing medical, behavioral, and safety concerns, providing appropriate interventions, identifying unmet needs, and coordinating care with behavioral health providers, victim services, healthcare organizations, and community partners.
• Identifies and engages high frequency utilizers of EMS and healthcare services by reviewing utilization patterns, conducting individualized assessments, identifying medical, behavioral, environmental, and social factors contributing to repeated calls for service, and connecting individuals with appropriate services to address unmet needs and reduce preventable EMS utilization.
• Serves as a patient advocate and navigator of healthcare and community resources by identifying patient needs and barriers to care, advocating for access to appropriate services, educating patients regarding available resources and treatment options, facilitating referrals, and coordinating services across healthcare, behavioral health, substance use treatment, recovery, social service, and community organizations to improve access, continuity of care, and patient outcomes.
• Builds, promotes, and advocates for the Community Paramedic Program and creates community engagement by developing relationships with community organizations and partner agencies, identifying opportunities for collaboration, participating in community outreach and prevention initiatives, and providing public education regarding OUD, overdose prevention, naloxone, recovery supports, and other Community Paramedic services.
• Maintains the knowledge, skills, documentation, and competencies necessary to perform the Community Paramedic role by completing required clinical and program documentation, maintaining medication accountability, participating in continuing education and in service training, and attending staff meetings, committee meetings, case reviews, and other required professional development activities.
• Supports departmental and program operations as required by providing nonemergency transportation through the Recovery Transportation Program when needed, providing backup paramedic level response to the 911 system during periods of increased demand, mass casualty incidents, significant events, or other operational needs, demonstrating professional behavior and Gaston County EMS standards of performance, including ownership, teamwork, communication, compassion, and service excellence, and performing related duties and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Required:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a valid NC EMT Paramedic or National Registry Paramedic certification.
• Current ACLS, PHTLS, PALS/PEPP, AMLS, GEMS and CPR certifications.
• Valid driver's license with 3 or less points on driving record.
• Experience and training in responding and controlling hazardous material incidents.
• Minimum of one year of service with Gaston EMS.
• Minimum of two years field experience as a Paramedic.
• Complete Community Paramedic Course and obtain IBSC certification within 6 months.

Preferred:

• ASLS certification
• NRP certification

Additional Information

Lateral Entry Incentive

• Any full-time Law Enforcement Officer, Detention Officer, Public Health Nurse, EMT or Paramedic hired into Gaston County's Public Safety or Health Departments (Police, Sheriff, GEMS, Public Health), after 7/1/2026 with at least two years of full-time law enforcement, EMT/Paramedic, or professional nursing experience will receive lateral entry incentive pay in two installments. The first installment will be issued upon the completion of 6 months of continued service with Gaston County. The second installment will be issued upon completion of an additional one year of continued county service. The Lateral Entry Incentive Pay will be equal to the following amounts:
• $3,000 – EMTs and Public Health Nurses (two installments of $1,500)
• $4,000 – Detention Officers and Paramedics (two installments of $2,000)
• $5,000 – Police Officers and Deputy Sheriffs (two installments of $2,500)

The applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment. In compliance with G.S. 153A-94.2 (b), if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI. These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties. Please note: new employees are likely to be scheduled to work night shift upon hire. New employees will have the ability to request ADA accommodations based on need after hire and the ability to participate in an annual shift bid process.

At Gaston County, we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees, job applicants, and members of the community we serve. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable laws.

Gaston County will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Benefits

Full-Time employees are eligible for the total compensation package which includes:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Retirement Savings Plans
• Pension
• 401K (with 5% county contribution annually)
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Discounted YMCA Membership

Part-Time employees are eligible for certain benefits as a part of employment with Gaston County such as:

• Pro-Rated Sick and Annual Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Local Government Retirement Plan